After breaking through for their first win of the year on their return to the MCGtwo weeks before, then backing that up with another win on their home turf a week later the Demons earned their third win in a row in a thriller at Windy Hill.

With a strong cross-wind blowing over the ground the game lacked science, and the defences were on top in the first quarter. Essendon were kept goalless, and conceded two goals to be 10 points behind.

The home side were fighting to keep themselves in the race for the top four, and could have put Melbourne away in the second quarter if they had kicked better than 2.6 but it was still good enough to give them a one point lead at half time - though they'd had twice as many shots on goal.

The sides traded goals in the third quarter until two in a row for Melbourne late gave them a three point lead at three-quarter time. The lead didn't last long in the final term, and Essendon extended the gap to nine points before the Reds kicked two goals to take the lead.

There was still 10 minutes to play, but the visitors bravely held their opponents at bay and hung on for a victory which lifted them to ninth on the ladder.

Best were Kinnear, Warne-Smith and Johnson. 19th man Abernethy replaced Conole in the last quarter.